WATER AND WINE, WATER TO WINE, WHINING IN GENERAL

 Out of the mouths of babes department, we had the opportunity to spend a large amount of time with the grandson this week. We shared several meals where I usually drink water except when we go out where I might indulge in a glass of wine. This led him to note I only drink the "W's" - water and wine. Duly noted. 

With so much golf instruction and outings going on this week I grabbed a club and took a few practice swings (first time in years). I must have subliminally picked up some tips as I nailed each shot better than I ever have in my life. The boy's new clubs arrived, so he was beyond excited which is good as I may want mine back...           

                                                                    

Quote that stuck this week. As the party known for lowering taxes and regulations on the rich and powerful while labeling anything that support "the people" as socialism (social security, infrastructure, medicare, job safety, unemployment insurance) I present this.  "Capitalism should improve the peoples' lives, not just provide profits for the few". Speaking of differences, the reps McCarthy chose to place on the January 6 investigative committee included "alleged" actual conspirators who publicly claimed their intent was to "screw up" an impartial investigation by maintaining the "insurrection" was merely an exuberant tour group. After which they emerged from hiding to go back and vote "against" certification surrounded by the broken pieces left behind. Jordan and Banks, I'm looking at you. Matt Gaetz take note. If and when (ahem) you are accused of a crime, you did commit, be sure to put yourself on the prosecuting side of the investigation - brilliant! Another quote I love "widen your lens". That applies to so much.

What is the deal with constant criticism of womens' clothing? In the same week a British long jumper was criticized for wearing too short shorts - which is similar to the mens' and she's been wearing them for ten years of competition. Conversely the Danish women's beach volley ball team was fined for wearing shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms (described as a close fit with a cut on an upward angle) in their competition (not the Olympics which allows either). WTF? Like we say, "our eyes are up here horn dogs". It is just another part of not being taken seriously. Women don't have the same hang-ups, though I must confess that oiled up dude from Tonga who wears the same outfit (basically nothing) for both the summer and winter olympics is worth a second look.

Gear Change. I was struck by the story this week of the punishment meted out to the poultry company after the deaths of six plant workers which were "totally avoidable" as stated by Labor Secretary Walsh. Yes they were. The Right to Know law has been in effect for decades where every employer has the duty to educate employees on the hazards of any and all chemicals and provide personal protection, training and procedures. Even a sign stating liquid nitrogen present which can be immediately dangerous to life and health (as it displaces oxygen) might have given these folks pause before they went in to inspect a leaking freezer. This also applies to emergency personnel who may be the ones investigating or mitigating such a situation as was pointed out when I was involved in a similar emergency situation in my safety days. Yes, we all hated my mandatory lecture on hazard communication but this is what safety folks have nightmares about.

I learned many oddball things practicing my "craft". I learned about HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtering when the dust rule came into effect. Essentially there cannot be more than 1/32  inch of dust present (fire, spark hazard) on surfaces which is essentially the height of a paper clip. Try to explain that to managers in a coal-fired power plant. Coal dust and flyash are part of the decorations and the negative air pressure generated from  the massive equipment made things a tad stubborn to remove. You haven't lived until you see people manipulating giant vacuum cleaner hoses on the top of a 3-story boiler. However, it did prompt me to search and seek out hepa filters for my home way before it was cool. 

I learned how one can do chemistry in one's kitchen sink when experimenting on random fluffs of insulation picked up in random areas. If it turned red/purple magnesium was present which probably meant asbestos which probably meant a whole lot of problem.

We also tried to come up with a recycling idea for the sludge filling a pond near the Lansing Zoo, a by-product from the water conditioning plant full of calcium carbonate mixed with flyash. Working it into our garden produced massive carrots. Though whether they were edible was debatable. However it did have a commercial application as a flowable fill for construction which would flow into place and harden. I have no idea whatever happened to that project...

I also learned to always opt for the commercially made and sized appliance cords for extra safety as we drag cords over and through things.  I believe I can vacuum the second floor from the first floor of my house with the insanely long cord I insisted on. I have various volt testers that I gleefully push into outlets testing for grounds. Though we did discover all our grounds were installed upside down.

After struggling with and researching the issue I had the unique opportunity of "field testing" one of the first ever tri-recording dosimeters. At the time everyone else used a separate monitoring device for each hazard. However as my folks entered sewers, toxicity, oxygen deficiency or explosive atmospheres were always a fun possibility. Of course, as we are dealing with people, my highly-trained workers almost became like poultry plant casualties one time when they did not  "trust the science".

Switching gears again, my grandson is an animal lover-he wanted me to save a drowning icky bugee thingee when we were in the lake the other day- and he has quite an imagination. He said he couldn't leave for the latest golf adventure until he had talked to his friend the mourning dove whose name was Isaac for some weird reason. Apparently Isaac is single and hangs out with his buddy Chris the blue jay and Ramon the raven. There is an entire story about these feathered characters from the boy who groaned every week when he had to do an original writing assignment for school. 

Well hopefully the monsoons for the week have passed and looking forward to five days drying out the mosquito hideouts. What's the point of  new deck and pergola if one fears being used as a portable blood bank. At least they make "OFF" in designer scents these days.....

BOWLS AND BALLS (WEEK of JULY 12)

"I really don't think you're in my bowl". Interesting words and in context at the time. However, I'll just leave it at that as it struck me as funny at the time. I'm strange like that. 

Interesting podcast interview this week where we talked about planning for disasters, emergencies, etc. We never expect something to happen-that's why we call it an accident, but in the safety/health world we are always nicked for not planning well enough, or training adequately, or holding folks responsible enough-AFTER the fact. As they say failing to plan is planning to fail.  Sounds good on paper. 

Podcast Highlights-there have been tsunamis in Michigan. Ever stood near the Grand Haven pier in the Fall or Winter?... After the "practice" bombing in the parking garage of the World Trade Center evacuation plans and buddy systems were put in place and practiced; leading to the miraculous escape of most of those on the floors below the airplane impacts... Many smaller and governmental entities do little or inadequate emergency planning. Though in my case it was not lack of planning, more of a lack of cooperation which I can now dub the anti-vax mentality. "It probably won't happen, if it does, it won't be that bad, if you die you die (literally)." When something happens it reverts to: "why didn't you push harder", sigh.

Speaking of deniers, why does one not run into people with polio, mumps, measles, smallpox, diptheria, etc. Blame those darn vaccines.  But the ones that really defy logic are those who know of people, or they themselves, infected with covid and still do not believe in protecting themselves. In the safety realm we call those folks "suicidal". Tennesee is now off my bucket list. To carry the water for "the big lie" those I laughingly refer to as "in charge" are prohibiting requirements to get the covid vaccine, and just to make it more fun, they have also decreed it illegal to require "ANY" vaccinations. Hello to the 1700's!

Talking about advance vs reactive planning, a Parks Department storage area had many interesting bags, bottles and boxes with powders and liquids possibly decomposing and "off-gassing" around the platform they were stacked upon. The philosophy was always, we need that, but we will buy more than we need and worry about what we do with it later. Well later occurred under my regime and I learned way more about agricultural products than I ever wanted to know. I think it would have been easier to stick with farm animal excrement than to determine where, what and how to dispose of our myriad of products. Though I suppose they would have bitched about the smell...This is the department where I insisted they test their hydro-vehicle lift, as required, and we blew it up. As the hoist was down for an extended period I was not too popular there. But it was amazing to discover how many entities are willing to take partially used "skull and crossbones" products off your hands, including the original purveyor of the goods. Hmmm.

General Beefs: Failure to plan is a theme I see. All the "hue and cry" about not being able to renew one's passport in a timely manner. Pandemic shut the country down.The previous administration cut government to the bare bones before that. You 'all sat around on your fannies for months until you decided to travel where you need a passport. Scalpers are snatching up passport appointments and selling them online. Any of this ringing a bell somewhere? I saw my passport was defunct in August, 2020, so what did I do? I renewed it, duhh. 

On a happier note, took the grandson for his first golf lesson this week. Fun to watch and cringe. Since he is playing baseball at the same time we have the opportunity to screw up either his bat swing or his golf swing or possibly both for a two-fer. Grandpa immediately ordered clubs and bag and both of them are very excited. I asked my budding Tiger if he understood what the instructor was trying to teach him and he said "yeah, but I don't get all that triangle stuff". At least he was polite about it. On the baseball front, after a hit he was blocked running down the baseline by two players frantically trying to field the ball. After the inevitable collision and fall, he got back up and made it to first base. Couldn't have been prouder. Maybe he will start wearing long pants to games, but I doubt it-skinned knees and all.

After about 50 years attending a church the OH decided to move to one closer to home as his previous church decided it was God's will, or something, and refused to follow any covid guidelines. Not wanting to infect others, he started attending the other church. Even the eventual sickness of a few parishioners and the actual death of the pastor, partially a result of covid, they still followed a reckless path.  At any rate after a year, the new church had a welcome reception for the new parishioners. I attended as I heard there would be cake - which was pretty good. 

A small congregation imagine their excitement when they thought they were getting two newbies for the price of one! I had to burst bubbles by saying I followed a different saviour interpretation but the cake was good and the people friendly. Also as it is a small group the pastor can see all of you when he delivers his talk so my usual snooze had to be postponed for 40 minutes! Wow-Catholics know better than to "homilyize" for more than 10-15 minutes. Small sacrifice for cake though.  

There is always BS going on in Washington D.C. but I think I will take a break this week. Though I do wonder why we have to keep re-trying issues that have been resolved previously (DACA). Shakespeare had it right-"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" (HenryVI). 

The birds are a little sloppy when chowing down on their various seeds but sometimes we get a nice reminder of their activities   Happy Week.....

NO PARTICULAR ORDER (JULY 5TH WEEK)

Thank you my small, but loyal following as writing is my main hobby and necessity . There may be a fine line between laughing at life and cynicism but at 69 years and 8 months, I am convinced the lines are blurred. So much that seemed important when one is younger became exposed as a whole lot of running in place with no perceptible forward progress. Apparently the world belongs to those bold enough to just do it - ask for forgiveness later. Some may perceive that as a less than benevolent management style, but I hate inaction more than anything. Discussion is usually necessary as one cannot know everything and the need to avoid "tunnel vision" but make a decision!  Procrastination is death. I'm surprised I survived working in government so long. Did I squish some toes - no question. Did I accomplish some things I am proud of- also no question. 

Interesting thought department. Obama, arguably one of the more popular presidents, received more than 2 million less votes on his second election. The Dude who would be president, as popular as a cold sore, received 11 million more votes on his second attempt. If one were prone to conspiracy theories one might project "the fix was in", but too many democrats got out and voted. No wonder the repubs are crying foul...If you follow the polls-mostly I don't as they are highly inaccurate-there is an interesting one by the Pew Institute, a more reputable source.  When discussing what demographic actually supports repubs their most solid group is those over 75 so the struggle to win a majority of voters gets harder each year....now that's amusing in a macabre way. 

More Supremie mayhem as they strike down the California law that required non-profits to identify their donors. I thought the Koch brother(s) Citizens United did enough damage protecting dark money, but this is only the first volley that will eventually protect all donors (read rich and powerful) from being ID'd. Dark money just went opaque. These rich and powerful are being harrassed by "honest" people whines Alito. (The word "honest" was mine)

Squeamish post. Avert your eyes if sensitive to bodily functions. Oddly I am in the unique position of being able to report on both colonoscopys and Cologuard. "Enjoying" a colonoscopy requires several days of monitored eating (no red dye foods for obvious reaasons), etc. Then an interesting evening trying to choke down a gallon of a vile tasting liquid-I don't care what you mix it with. Come on. If they can make tasty gummi bear vitamins for adults, what's up with the liquid vomit which describes the taste and subsequent stomach reaction if one sips too fast. This is followed by an excruciating night of nature calls every thirty minutes or so. Clean as a whistle has a whole new meaning where every twinge of the nether regions heralds another trip to the porcelain bowl. One thought is they make the prep procedure so arduous that one welcomes the odorous fun that is to come (yes screaming and reaching puns galore).

Though nothing means nothing after a night of void...one still panics entering the medical facility that an unexpected little explosion might still occur. If one looks around the waitng room however you can be reassured that each face is showing the same signs of discomfort, exhaustion and apprehension. Finally led back to your fate the happy juice is IV'd in. The rest is gravy or... something. If semi-conscious, the patient can wax hilariously with the doctor-though why 17 students have to be part of the procedure I have no idea. I believe the doc asked if I minded the students observing or maybe it was the happy juice. I gleefully said "rear forward", let the learning begin. Afterwards there is quite a bit of discomfort until an overwhelming gas cloud emerges (there is quite a bit of air introduced with that snake going up the pipes). This "exhalation" is, of course, then celebrated with a chocolate milkshake from McDonalds.  I have no idea why, I just know it works.

So when my primary suggested it was time for the pipe job again I delicately protested (yeah right). He suggested Cologard the happy talking box one sees on the commercials talking to people about testing their poo while engaged in public activities - walking, swimming, lounging at the beach etc. Seems harmless enough. Then the box arrived and the 16 pages of instructions. There's quite a bit to it and heaven forbid if one does it wrong. You're basically catching, releasing and packaging up what happens each morning after two cups of coffee. (Actually proper order would be releasing and catching, but it was funnier the first way) One especially interesting precaution "be sure not to let other contaminants get mixed into the sample". Like what? Cereal? Perfume? Bugs? Oh yeah I get it.  Anyone who understands the plumbing of male and female specimans should know that certain parts on a female are not that easy to disengage from one another during the overall release. They supply you with a little pot to catch "solid things" but try managing one without the other ladies. 

I kept telling myself  it's all natural, its all natural, it's all natural until I said oh what the hell. First one has to "take" a sample with a little test tube and bottle it up. That's not too bad but THEN, one has to also package up "the rest of the story"  being careful not to "present" more than this interesting bottle of liquid could cover-with the note DO NOT DRINK OR GET IN YOUR EYES. Have to love the lawyers. They show a picture of two little sausages as the approved sample with the caveat yours may not look exactly like this- AS IF. Their sample looked like something a Shih Tzu would deliver.

As the temperature was 90, climbing and extremely humid I made the executive decision to take the package to the UPS Store myself rather than "wait" for them to pick it up. Big note to keep sample at room temperature and sent in within a day. That box sitting on my porch in the heat waiting for UPS did not seem like a solid (another pun) plan. Though I will say their packaging is quite extensive and the whole procedure is well-explained, but Ewww. 

On a lighter front...sarcasm. Just perusing a little news I found two people shot, one killed, by someone at the other end of the bar for no apparent reason; two dudes in a McDonalds pointing a gun in protest over salt on their fries; several "road rage" shooting incidents, and a gun-wielding patron upset by the amont of hot sauce on his chicken sandwich. Explain again to me why so many "conservatives" think giving guns and no rules to the masses is such a great idea?

Good News section. Nice time of year as we can celebrate two family birthdays aligned a day apart. Nice to see the whole gang at once-- it's been a while.  Also, da da da da!!! The deck is done! Although there are a couple of finishing touches to be applied, in general we have a deck and pergola. On to the next project.

                                             

FIREWORKS, EXPLOSIONS, MAYHEM -HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

 Heading into the 4th of July weekend. I hate to think this way but to me summer has three chapters-Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day and we are already moving into the 2nd Chapter of a very short book! My tan has barely started, barbecues have been scarce (cue rain) and I just started carping about the heat at night. Our new AC is still not doing its only task which is providing chilly air upstairs even after popping for the larger unit. Sigh.

On the good news front, our daughter started a new job (promotion) today and also got word their bid was accepted on a house (viewed during a tornado warning so we know it's a solid house). Talk about stacking up the newsworthy events. But to ward off the jinxs the house is not a done deal, so fingers and toes crossed as contingencies are worked through.

Also number five podcast is "in the can". I wonder at what point I will stop numbering them. We had predicted twelve or more easily for the first year. What naive babies we were. All the promised volunteer help has bogeyed, my preparations take much longer than anticipated and eager interviewees are becoming more elusive as summer fun beckons. Oh well this last recording was enjoyable as we discussed the problems of indoor air quality in closed up buildings, how we are poisoning our school children with our cleaning methods, and how maintenance folks are really invisible essential employees that we should all appreciate. 

We also lamented the dearth of folks going into the Industrial Hygiene field -you know the non-essential science of invisible organisms that can kill us such as legionella and covid. The young are all about Environmental and have no clue as to the hazards of the sneaky little indoor airborne heebie jeebies (to get technical). As my interviewee stated "Dilution is the solution to pollution" or don't work in a dust cloud.

These are the most insidious of problems to resolve as a Safety/Health practictioner. One person's complaint of not feeling well becomes a nightmare tracking down the clues and finding a solution, sometimes by accident. After exhausting all the obvious possiblities through air monitoring and surface samples for the constant complaints I got from an office group, I by accident, realized that trucks were idling in an alley next to City Hall. Upon looking up I saw the gaping maw of an air intake just about 5 stories high. Hmm, the proverbial light bulb moment. Look around sometime. You will be amazed at the number of air intakes in interesting spots, such as right next to the exhaust vent, or a car repair shop or a brazing operation or excessive B.O. 

True stories, one engineer I had to work around never used deodorant and apparently believed his once a week ablutions took care of the problem - Not. I was not quite as brash back then and after consultation with other office workers I was the one who anonymously left the can of Arrid on his desk one night. Another personal hygiene issue, related to me by a manager, was that she was getting constant complaints about an office mate with incessant "gas" issues that he assured he could not control (another example of Indoor Air Quality IAQ). And you all thought the Personnel Department was a useless division. "Explosive" situations "arise" all the time and HR becomes the solution. Say what you will but working from home has settled a lot of interpersonal issues this past year.

Interesting how ultra-conservative Suprem-ie Clarence Thomas thinks the federal laws on "mary de wanna" don't make sense as most of the country is already using, abusing and accepting. However in an abrubt "right" turn he thinks it's ok to shackle women and their bodies even though their right to medical privacy, and hey their bodies, is accepted by the majority of the country. Actually the Court has not been as partisan as first feared, but time will tell.

 UPDATE: already wrong on that last statement with them upholding restrictive voting practices in Arizona. One of the issues was the GOP's habit of quickly moving voting locations (in "certain" areas) to make it very likely that the minority voter will not know this and vote in the wrong precinct which means the ballot is thrown out. Not manipulative huh?

Speaking of repub manipulaton, Michigan Senator (State) Ed McBroom from the UP had the dubious honor of being called out by the "whiner in exile" as a RINO (repub in name only). He was the main author of the Michigan republican committe report written after a months-long investigation of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Surprise, Senator McBroom found no evidence of systemic fraud and even directed the attorney general consider investigating individuals who pushed false claims "to raise money or publicity for their own ends". How refreshing and, unfortunately, unusual these days to find people acting with integrity rather than doubling down on a lie when confronted with the truth. 

In the TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION category...one day after the Trump Organization CFO is indicted for tax fraud, etc., a Twitter post allegedly shows a LINKEDIN job posting today for a new CFO for Trump Organization with two applicants already applying. If true, WOW, though not surprising. Among the job duties, though, I did not see "ability to manipulate, bamboozle and hide tax liabilities, assets and account juggling".  Also, if true, Mr. Weisselberg (a Trump employee and fall guy since the 70s) should finally understand what loyalty really means to Orange Judas. Another humorous note, the court filing for the Trump Organization lists "Legal Aid" as the attorney. Either they can't afford their own attorney or a facist is relying on the socialistic system of providing everyone with a lawyer paid for by the socialist government. LOL. I assume that is in error but it sure would "piss off" a jury. 

Have to comment on Mr. Cosby's release. I am not privy to all the facts obviously, but a prosecuter gave him immunity for admitting he drugged multiple women so he could have sex with them? What is especially galling is he is out there now threatening to sue the Pennsylvania county and clamoring about all the "innocent" people behind bars. As by your own admission you are guilty, keeping your mouth shut would be of great service to the women who are now going to be intimidated about coming forward with similar complaints. 

On a happier note, recyling now has an added bonus. As the recycle center is open Wednesday afternoons, we crated up our mish-mosh of carboard, tin, glass (I'm embarrassed by the number of wine bottles), plastic, etc. and set off to do our environmental duty. In jest the OH suggested I take him to dinner. So we did even though it was not quite 5 pm yet (yes, we are those people, sometimes). Now he believes it should be part of the recycling routine. We also punctuate our bi-annual blood tests with a celebratory breakfast as we are "breaking the fast" of the last twelve hours. That's another four occasions for someone else to cook for us. 

New grill was put together through our joint efforts and no one was stabbed or stalked off after a screaming match in utter frustration. The black behemoth has been joy-riding for the last couple of weeks as I couldn't handle my end of lifting the darn thing out of the truck. Our contractor guy was going to do it, but we can barely keep him focused on the BIG project. That sucker weighed more than 100 pounds and apparently half of it was styrofoam.  Ended up with an entire leaf bag of styrofoarm pieces. If I could go back in time I would blow up that new major back in the 70's at MSU called "Packaging".

 My role on assembly is as direction reader, parts chaser and holder as tiny screws and bolts are continually dropped until finally seated. We only had to take it apart a couple of times as there are never enough pictures until you get to step 16 and realize the wrong end is up. 37 bolts at the start and 0 bolts at the end-do they know their parts or what? 37, just ponder how they arrived at such a number.  I confess I did walk away at the "hooking up the igniter part". I will be standing by with fire extinguisher the first time we fire 'er up though.

As for the deck - looking more deck-like. Next, the  facing goes on and PERGOLA building commences though the four green sentrys standing guard are kind of cool. Oh btw there is a nest full of babies on the overhead light which was supposed to be replaced a month ago. Sigh...